Man shot dead during execution of drug-related search warrant

Police are at the scene of an officer-involved shooting at the America's Best Inn on Putney Road in Brattleboro. (Dom Poli/Reformer)

BRATTLEBORO -- A man was shot dead by police Friday morning as
authorities attempted to execute a court-ordered search warrant in
Room 301 at the America's Best Inn at 959 Putney Road.

According to Vermont State Police, the search warrant was obtained as
part of an on-going drug investigation and, during the initial entry
of the room, a Brattleboro Police officer fired his weapon and struck
the man at roughly 5:40 a.m. VSP has stated rescue personnel were
staged nearby and immediately responded to the scene, where the man
was pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld pending
notification of next-of-kin. The name of the officer who fired the
fatal shot is also being withheld.

According to a press release, State Police got a call from the
Brattleboro Police Department regarding a shooting at the lodging
facility. Detectives with the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal
Investigation and troopers from the Brattleboro Barracks responded and
began an investigation at the request of Brattleboro Police. Members
of the Crime Scene Search Team also responded to process the scene.

The deceased was reportedly set to be brought to the Vermont Office of
the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington for a post-mortem examination
to determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation is on-going.

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Original report

UPDATED at 12:45 p.m.: BRATTLEBORO -- Police say they are investigating an officer-involved
shooting that occurred at roughly 5:30 a.m. Friday at the America's
Best Inn on Putney Road.

According to information from the town manager's office, the Vermont
State Police are investigating, as mandated by statewide protocol.
Members of the Brattleboro Police Department are at the scene as well
and the State Police had a K9 unit there. Authorities had no more
information at around 9:15 a.m.

A portion of the hotel's parking lot has been cordoned off.

Windham County State's Attorney Tracy Kelly Shriver could not confirm
if there were any deaths or injuries from the incident, but around
noon said a press conference would be held "later."

It was business as usual in the area surrounding the crime scene, as
passers-by and vehicles went on about their day. A woman at the front
desk of the hotel said she had no comment for the Reformer.

We will have more on this developing story at information becomes available.

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